#etohide

He put his cup down on the nearest table. Hide spared a playful glint at Kaneki - suddenly mischievous once he realized Kaneki was unaware of his intention - and strode silently towards his lover. In seconds, he sprung, locking his arms around Kaneki’s waist, almost knocking them to the floor.

Kaneki groaned, looking at Hide over his shoulder. “Hide, I'm working here.” Kaneki waved his hand at the mess of clothes on the sofa. “I'm doing what you’re supposed to be doing.”

“You know I'm bad at packing. I always leave something behind. Like my undergarments!” Hide said all too cheerily. Kaneki rolled his eyes, fond. He turned around in Hide's hold, facing his lover. Kaneki’s gaze turned soft, loving. Delighted to have Hide so close. Hide returned the affection by kissing Kaneki’s cheek and tightening his embrace.

“You're really going to be late. Your ship will sail without you,” Kaneki quipped. He tucked few stray golden locks behind Hide's ear and gently took Hide's face in his hands, thumbs stroking his cheeks.

Hide hesitated. “They can wait for a moment, right? They can't just leave without their passengers.”

“Perhaps.” Kaneki shrugged, and then he smiled when Hide gazed down, biting his lips in concern. “The ship might wait but the sea won't. For that very reason alone, I assume the ship will sail while the tides are still tender.” Kaneki looked outside, just like how Hide previously did. “The sea seems calm for now. So. The ship might just leave you behind.”

Hide could hear the teasing tone in Kaneki’s voice. He pouted. “This is my first time traveling by sea, Ken! I prefer by land but--”

“Hmm, your fault for wanting to catch a sight of migrating whales.”

Hide scowled. “For my next book!”

“Yes. About whales. Honestly, You could write about a lot of things - as you've done in the past - and yet you chose to write about marine life.”

“Already wrote about the strangest wonders of the world. Thought I could choose a far more tame topic.”

Being a young, successful novelist, Hide took pride in his work and never gave anything less than perfection. He'd never given half-attempt in everything he did to finish his books. Even though it meant he had to travel across the globe just to garner more information regarding whales.

Hide narrowed his eyes. From Kaneki’s perspective, it must have sounded silly but Hide loved his job. Loved to uncover the mysteries of the world, enjoyed studying about them and immortalized everything in his small faithful journal.

In the darkness of the nineteenth century, people only ever chased after two things; the richness of scattered knowledge or a way to forget the misfortune in their everyday life.

Hide was the former. Kaneki used to be the latter. Until he found Hide. And his job as an English professor.

Hide winced when Kaneki softly flicked Hide's forehead. “You're really going to be late. Go get ready. I'll prepare breakfast for you once I'm done here.”

Hide held Kaneki captive. His arms didn't fall from Kaneki’s frame. His lips surged forward to nibble playfully at Kaneki's neck, then cleverly brushing his way up to Kaneki's lips, pecking the supple spot once, twice, thrice. Finally, Kaneki stopped him, glaring at Hide.

“No. I thought last night was enough.”

“But I won't be seeing you until-- well, until a while.”

“You should have asked me to come with you then.” Kaneki pecked the corner of Hide's lips and gingerly escaped Hide's iron hold. He continued packing and humming an old song. Hide huffed, irritated, simply because he couldn't sway his lover. Maybe Kaneki was right. Maybe he should have asked Kaneki to come with him. But then again, Hide had always preferred to travel alone when he was working.

Oh well. There would be time for tenderness when he came back home.

--

The pier was loud. Packed with sailors, fishermen, and people strolling about. Yet, the sound of the sea hitting the pillars was louder, booming. Even so, the echo of white-tailed birds soaring in the sky was enough to soothe the balm of overwhelmed anxiety in his chest.

For a moment, Hide allowed the warmth from the sun touching his cheeks, eyes closed, as he listened to the steady tune of the ocean. When Hide reopened his eyes, he saw Kaneki standing next to him, looking forlorn. He carefully put the linen suitcase next to Hide's feet.

“Everything you need is inside there. Don't forget to rest. And sleep. You always forget to sleep when you get too excited. And don't forget to eat, either. Goodness, Hide, forsaking your meal is never good for your health-”

“Ken, please. I'm twenty-four, not a baby,” Hide whined childishly. That right there was also one of the reasons why he didn't occasionally bring Kaneki to one of his many journeys.

Even though he loved Kaneki fiercely, Hide couldn't possibly work in peace if his beloved continued to pester him incessantly. It was done out of love, true, but Hide had priorities and those priorities sometimes didn't include the state of his wellbeing but his life work.

Kaneki flashed him a look that could possibly melt steel. “Hide,” Kaneki warned.

Hide exhaled. “Yes, yes. I got it.” The young writer stepped closer to his lover. He meant to give Kaneki a kiss before they parted but Kaneki was quicker. He leaned forward and captured Hide's lips with his, tentatively, tenderly.

Kaneki kissed Hide like he was a curious man trying to measure a shooting star with his thumb and forefinger. And he held Hide as if he wanted to caress a fragile flower between his fingers. Hide chuckled into the kiss. Wet kiss. Messy kiss. Hungry kiss. Kaneki had always been a man that held love with utmost care in his hands. Like a precious little lily flower.

Hide loved him so much.

When they pulled away, Hide smiled at his lover. Kaneki returned it.

“I'll come home soon.”

“Of course you will,” Kaneki affirmed. “And when you return, I'm going to propose to you.”

Hide blinked. “Shouldn't that be a secret?”

Kaneki grinned. “You know me. Can't keep secrets.”

“Okay then,” Hide whispered. His heart pulsed. It felt full and fat with affection for this man in front of him. “I'm going to say yes after you propose.”

This time, it was Kaneki that blinked at him, surprised. “That-- I mean, shouldn't that be a secret?” He threw Hide's query right back at him.

Hide could only laugh.

They acted as if they wouldn't be seeing each other for a long, long while, which was ridiculous. Hide would always return to Kaneki’s side as soon as he could.

--

Hide discovered that he got seasick easily.

“You look nauseous.”

Hide barely gave the wandering sailor a glance. Despite the spontaneous comment, the sailor assumed correctly. Hide felt nauseous. Terribly so.

Beneath the monstrous vessel, the waves were not gentle. Every time the galleon swayed violently, Hide felt his stomach betray him. Kaneki was wrong. The ocean wasn't merciful. The ocean was a merciless monster.

“What gave it away?” Hide asked. Derision was loud in his voice. The sailor smirked at him.

“Don't you worry yourself, boy. You'll get used to it eventually,” the man offered. Hide didn't want to get used to it. He wanted it to stop.

“Besides,” the man added, “It's not the sea you - we - should be worried about. It's the sky.” With that, the man left, moving towards the upper deck, leaving Hide behind with the other passengers and working sailors.

Hide could engage in small talk with one of the passengers but he feared that he might empty his stomach on their shoes, or worse, in their face.

Disheartened, Hide unwillingly released his grip from the railing. He shifted on the balls of his feet, face cast upward to the sky, squinting. A curiosity drummed in his ribcage at the sailor's previous statement. It's the sky, he'd said, what they should fear.

Hide pondered what it meant; if his theory was correct or if it was simply for naught - because he remembered once, back when he’d visited one of Kaneki’s friends and how the man was obsessed with the old creatures that roamed the sky, prowled high above the ocean in the night.

Half birds and half humans. Not as mythical as people thought them to be. People disappeared over the horizon, swallowed by the sea but some believed otherwise; taken by the she-bird creatures.

Harpies, Kaneki's friends had said nonchalantly, better to steer clear away from them than to try hunting them. Hide agreed. Based on the rare rumors and news he had heard. Facts and evidence were spread to the public like an uncontrollable plague.

Hide sighed. He scratched the back of his neck. The sickness was momentarily forgotten.

They would arrive at their destination in less than a week. It'd be best if he tried to accommodate to the ship, tried to find comfort where he could.

It would be a long week, after all.

(He was already missing Kaneki)

--

Three days had passed. From his cabin, Hide could hear music and tapping of good shoes from the deck. The passengers were loud, dancing and singing but the sailors were just as eager too, probably, based on their loud boisterous laughter.

It was night and it wasn't as cold as the previous evening. From the narrowed porthole, Hide could catch a glimpse of the wide dark yonder; bright stars bestrewing the night like little golden freckles. At least, the sea was gentle. Hide took solace in that comfort, trying to compensate it for the loneliness he was feeling.

He wondered what Kaneki was doing right now.

Hide moved from his bed and quietly steered himself towards the door. He slightly pushed it open, peeking from the offered space to observe the group of people mingling together. They seemed as if they were having a glorious night and the music was at least soothing despite the vibrant tempo. Writing could wait. He wanted to be out there, mingling.

Before Hide could fully leave his room, a hand quickly caught his shoulder and dragged him from the safety of his chamber. He was carefully but hastily pushed towards the circle of people.

“There you are, boy!” a familiar voice boomed. Hide looked to his right and was rewarded with a sight of the same sailor that had greeted him a few days ago. The man was sporting a free and wide grin as he ushered Hide with him.

“I was wondering if you'd jumped ship,” the man said seriously. Though his expression betrayed his tone. “Stop hiding in your room, kid. Saw you and that diary of yours-”

“Journal. It's a journal,” Hide said, scrunching his nose. “I was writing.”

“Yes yes. Anyway, forget that journal of yours for a moment and just enjoy the party. The music is good but the drinks are better!” The hand on his back pushed Hide forward, causing him to falter. The young writer huffed.

Hide looked back at the sailor, ignoring people's greeting as he watched the other man showcasing the liveliness of the crowd. He seemed terribly drunk.

“Now, enjoy yourself and-”

The words were left empty in the air. Hide fell on his back, hard. He didn't know how he got there but there was wetness on his face. Hide slowly ran his fingers on his face and felt the moisture spread, smearing along his skin.

When he withdrew his fingers, there was blood on his hands. Not his. This blood was not his. The scent of copper was strong. Hide looked up and saw the sailor laying supine on the floor; his throat was torn and half of his face was coated in claw marks, eyes wide, unseeing. Blood pouring from his chest, from his head. Dead.

There was a loud shrill in the sky.

People were screaming. Hide didn't move from the floor, hands trembling and eyes wide; lost and confused and scared. His gaze didn't falter from the body before him. Then someone ran into him and the person fell flat to the floor.

That was all the push Hide needed to force himself to stand on shaky legs and take everything in. He saw nothing at first in the shroud of the night; only people rushing from something they couldn't even see. 

Hide quickly scanned the air once a noise caught his attention. Wings. Numerous of them. Loud, piercing, and fast. Whatever they were, they were lithe, covered in shadow, swirling in the ferocity of the pitiless night sky, swooping down with sharpened claws to seize as many passengers as they could.

Something was burning all around him.

There were choked screams as people were taken into the night before their voices were quelled. What is it? Hide swallowed and made a quick run to the lower deck. Though such moment was shortly cut off when Hide heard a sharp screech from above. He wasn't swift enough to avoid the impact and the pain on his back was instantaneous. Hide toppled down in pain, groaning from the accumulating agony.

Fear was thick in his veins. Hide turned to his side, eyes bore into the dark clouds above. And then he truly saw them. He could only use the word monsters to describe what he was seeing.

In the night, their wings unwinding like deformed skin, their figures casting nightmarish silhouettes on the galleon, and their claws were ominous and massive, perhaps powerful enough to cut his flesh into bits. Golden eyes peered down at him, at the other passengers, choosing their preys carefully. One of the creatures hovered over him, studying Hide quietly before its mouth cracked into an eerie grin, elongated fangs glistened in red. Blood. More blood.

Harpies. No no no no.

Hide groaned, and with all of his might, stood up and attempted to run again. As before, it was proven to be fruitless. He peered over his shoulder. The harpy screeched, made a dive at him and then--

--

Hide woke up coughing. His whole body trembled in pain. What happened. I was-- Hide sobbed once he felt another jolt of burning discomfort. He looked down to his left leg. It was bleeding but it didn't appear to be broken. Hide finally gazed up, sprawling helplessly on the dirty ground as he observed his surrounding.

The place was similar to a cave; dark, dirty, wet and too quiet with only the softness echo of dripping water ricocheting in the cavern. There was barely any light. Hide couldn't comprehend why he was here -- and then he remembered and the memory was like an unwelcome flame surging into his brain, fraying his heart with immense fear.

The harpies! Hide frantically searched around for the looming threats. He refused to cry but the tears fell anyway and the thoughts of ‘what-if’s clouded his judgment so easily. Kaneki! Hide crawled forward. His nails digging into the dirt below. Kaneki! Kaneki, please! But his lover was somewhere safe. Far away from here.

Hide swallowed his sobs and stopped when he felt something soft beneath his hands. He glanced down only to see a body whose face was rent apart, revealing cracked bones hidden underneath the bloated skin. Hide choked and fell backward. It was only then he realized that he was surrounded by wilting corpses. The stench was rotten to the core.

He shrieked and it was loud enough to garner attention. In the darkness, golden eyes shone brilliantly, several heads turned to him, their mouths parted, half-bitten flesh hanging limply on their lips. Evidence that they'd just recently finished feasting on their preys.

Hide's breath quickened. A loud banshee-like shrill resounded all around him. As one, all the harpies stood, their wings spread behind them, long legs bent forward as they strode slowly towards him. Their long tresses veiled their faces as they glanced at one another as if the she-creatures wanted to see who would break first and hurtle forward to devour Hide whole.

They abruptly paused, golden eyes blinking eerily. Hide couldn't move, helpless to do anything, feeling angry at himself for being too useless.

“Not this one,” a low voice murmured. The harpies stared at the figure approaching Hide, the one with the most immense wings amongst the others. Hide desperately attempted to get on his back, to crawl away from there but the harpy - with long almost greenish-hair and oddly clear eyes - stopped Hide by scooping his face in her hand, claws scratching at Hide's jaws.

It declared something to its fellow harpies, a sound of low chirrups, followed by a high-pitched screech. They communicated in a language Hide couldn't understand. After that, there was silence. They probably had come to a mutual agreement when the harpy before Hide turned to him again, studying Hide's face with rapt curiosity.

“This one is mine.”

In seconds, its wings broadened. Hide opened his mouth but he didn't get a chance to say anything. He could only hiss in pain when the harpy engulfed him in her arms and took flight with Hide in her hold.

It exited the cavern and drifted into the sky. The light poured like dripping dust from the sun, burning Hide's eyes. He was in the sky. So so so high above and it was frightening. Hide could barely calm his thoughts before the harpy quickly plummeted down. Hide finally screamed, waiting. But nothing happened. The harpy landed on hard soil. They were on the edge of a precipice, overlooking an endless sky and startlingly blue ocean. There was no way down. Not unless if Hide could fly.

It dropped Hide down and slammed him to the hard ground. Hide groaned and coughed some more. It dipped its head at Hide, watching him. “Will you die?” it spoke. “Will you die if I bite you?”

Hide didn't look at the harpy in the eye just as he didn't dare to give it an answer. It had its claws around Hide's neck and it'd be too easy for the creature to snap his throat like a soft twig. He was so frightened but at the same time, Hide was also too stubborn to please the creature.

“Is silence your answer?” it spoke again. Curious this time. Hide still said nothing. It seemed as if it had enough of Hide's wordless response. It harshly hauled Hide up, ignoring his feeble thrashing, before it threw him to the ground. Hide tried to fight back - for the very first time - but it held him down and sniffed his neck.

“Get off me,” Hide mustered, quivering. It put one hand on Hide's head and the other looped around his back to immobilize him. It inhaled him again, its nose brushing against the soft contour of Hide's shoulder and before Hide could spit his anger at the harpy, it dipped down and bit his shoulder.

Hide screamed. His voice filled the air. The starkness of pain was raw and evident and Hide fought back as hard as he could but he realized that despite everything, he was hurt, wounded and tired and so terribly out of place. He heard his flesh being ripped out, long teeth pulling at the supple skin.

Hide thought it would last forever but before he could surrender to the creeping oblivion - it pulled away, licking its lips as it greedily savored the taste.

Hide hoped it choked on his blood.

It was still watching him. Still with the same unsure and curious gaze. It was starting to make Hide feel so livid. Horror was forgotten. It bent down again and Hide shut his eyes, prepared for another wave of pain but this time, he felt a flick of something soft and wet on his wound.

Hide tiredly reopened his eyes, gazing down to see the harpy licking his wounds, at the one it had caused. It took Hide a moment to note that the thing was trying to soothe his pain and close the bleeding tear. It wasn't holding him down. Hide garnered whatever strength he had left and kicked the harpy in the chest.

The creature stumbled backward, surprised. Hide smirked. “Bitch,” he said.

The harpy's face contorted into an ugly rage. It caterwauled at him, furious. Good. Hide laughed brokenly.

And he promptly passed out.

--

Hide was surprised to find himself still alive. Hurt. Terribly wounded with red and blue blotches mapping his body but alive, nonetheless. Hide could barely move and his leg still ached terribly. He wondered if he would die from infections. Possibly. At this moment, death wasn't uninvited.

The most peculiar thing, though, was that the harpy let him live. Hide couldn’t tell what it wanted. Possibly eating him alive? Hide huffed at that, wincing when his shoulder flared painfully due to his uncoordinated movement.

He sat there, with his back leaning against the side of a massive rock, hungry and thirsty but at least the view was breathtaking. Hide cackled at that. The view was breathtaking. Kaneki would have loved it. The thought stirred something within Hide. Hopeless desperation maybe.

Hide sighed weakly. He wasted the passing moment by staring at the seascape presented before him. Being up here on the precipice, looking down at the freedom that was both so far and so close made Hide bitter.

“Thirsty,” he muttered. Eyes dazed.

“Drink then.”

Hide yelped, startled. Then he groaned in pain. When he looked up, the same harpy was staring down at him, positively amused. Or maybe not. Hide didn't know how long was ago when he'd kicked the creature but when he first opened his eyes, the harpy was no longer there.

That was then.

This was now and maybe it was finally here to devour him. Hide prayed it'd be swift and painless (he doubted it). For lingering seconds, none of them said a thing. Hide's gaze didn't waver from the she-creature, inching away from it bit by bit. Its eyes narrowed. Eventually, the harpy moved and Hide felt the same terror spiked in his ribcage.

“Stay still,” it said, grasping Hide's neck and pushing him back against the rock, bringing him to a standstill.

“Don't touch-” Hide croaked and it hissed at him. Hide obeyed reluctantly but like a stubborn fool he was, Hide glared at it. Oddly enough, slowly, the creature's eyes once more turned curious as it became less demanding and finally released its hold. Hide coughed when he could finally breathe properly.

“Drink,” it commanded, putting a strange wooden bowl on Hide's laps. It was colored with outlandish carving Hide had never seen before. “Drink,” it commanded again. Hide frowned. He eyed the object warily, looking at the creature, and then at the bowl again. The water inside it was pure and clean. So clear Hide could see his reflection and wow, his face looked horrid.

It slammed its hand next to Hide's leg, eyes bristling golden under the dimmed sky. It was strangely beautiful. “Drink,” it hissed. Hide took a deep breath, coming to a decision that at least, he should try to stay alive. He wanted to go back home to Kaneki. And if by staying alive meaning he needed to listen to this beast, then, for now, it'd be a price he was willing to pay.

Hide reached out a shaky hand to grip the bowl and drank the water slowly. It was like ambrosia against his dry throat. The harpy observed him closely. When Hide was done, he had the mind to throw the wooden bowl in the harpy's face but well, he had a grip on himself so instead, he put the bowl on the ground.

The harpy cocked its head to the side, seemingly pleased. “Good,” it said. Whatever, Hide petulantly thought. The blond jumped a bit when the harpy quietly took a place next to him on the ground, sitting close to him and leaning its back as well, wings enclosed behind it as it watched Hide fold his hands on his laps.

It narrowed its eyes before it slowly copied Hide's gesture. Hide gave the harpy a ridiculous stare. He didn't want to point out the fact that the creature was obviously mirroring him but more than anything else, Hide was a curious human and his curiosity often led him into unnecessary trouble.

So it was only plausible for Hide to slip the words before he could register the consequences for questioning the harpy. “What are you doing?”

The creature's reaction was immediate. It shot Hide a leer, fangs extended threateningly. Hide stiffened but he tried to keep his composure. Tried. Because he was obviously failing. The creature took notice of Hide's sudden discomfort and the corner of its lips shifted into a smug grin. Hide hated it. It was as if the harpy was teasing him.

“I sit,” it answered, astounding the blond. He knew not what else to say, how to retaliate back so he stayed quiet. It didn't take a while for Hide to fall asleep, tempted by the soft lull of fatigue.

When he woke up again, the harpy was no longer there.

--

“How long have I been here? A week? A month? A year?” Hide asked the harpy. It scowled at him.

“Three days,” it answered.

Hide gawked from where he was sitting. “It felt like an eternity.”

“Humans don't have eternity,” it responded.

Hide quirked a brow at that. The creature was delivering him another portion of food and water. It usually brought him fruits but fruits could only sustain him for so long. This morning, it served him fish again, surprisingly heated.

He wanted to know why it went as far as feeding him, keeping him alive. But Hide liked staying ignorant for now. Whatever the reason was, he felt as if his captivity would be less somber if he didn't have the answer to that. The harpy did bit his shoulder, after all, which still stung even now.

“Drink,” it added, pushing the same bowl towards Hide. It carefully put the fish on the ground, served on an overly large leaf. It was all too ridiculous to him. “Eat,” it said. Hide's body slumped at that.

“I don’t want them.”

It gazed at him sharply. “You had it yesterday.”

“Well, today is not yesterday, isn't it?” He asked bitterly. Hide coiled away from the harpy, refusing to look at it. “If you're not going to kill me, hell, if you're not going to eat me, then leave me alone.”

It steadily grew angry. Hide could almost tell. Yet it did nothing to him. It simply took off and left him alone. Hide gulped down the water but he didn't eat the fish.

Well, not until later.

--

It came back again that night. Usually, it only delivered his water and food but this time, it also dropped something unceremoniously in front of him, expecting Hide to pick it up. Hide blinked, studying the piece cautiously.

“Yours,” it offered.

Joy filled Hide's chest, Aflame and bright like diamond-sheen when he noticed that it was his precious journal. Half-tattered and stained in dirt but still his. Hide grabbed and held it fiercely between his fingers. A little piece of himself that he at least got to keep close.

“That,” the harpy said. Hide looked up at it. “That thing is why I keep you alive.”

This? Hide glanced down at his journal. Perplexed.

“Why” he questioned.

It said nothing at first. Even refusing to look at  Hide. It was contemplating, feet moving uneasily as it tipped its movement, seemingly unsure on how to continue. When it finally regarded Hide, there was the same curiosity again igniting in its eyes. It bent down one-knee, opening its palm to Hide.

The blond frowned.

“Give it to me.”

“What?” Hide concealed his journal, tucking it to his chest. “No,” Hide refused, resolute. It snarled at him, irritated.

“Give,” it demanded again.

Hide longingly stared at the small book, giving it a silent farewell, before he surrendered it to the harpy, boldly glaring at the creature. Ignoring the human, the harpy took it and opened the book, browsing the contents with very little regard to the journal’s already deteriorating condition.

Hide bit his lips to prevent himself from spewing something mindless. The harpy finally stopped once something caught its attention. Hide peered at the page only to see his drawing of Ikuma’s guitar. He was confused by its interest in that.

Boldly, he asked the harpy. “What is it?”

“This,” it said. “What is this?”

“It's a guitar,” Hide answered. “A musical instrument.”

Its eyes stayed on him for another moment before it resumed flicking the pages, searching and curiously looking at things it possibly didn't understand. This time, it was pointing at a short sentence written by Kaneki; one of the first things he'd said to Hide on their first date.

“What did it say?”

“You were made of extraordinary things.”

It batted its lashes at him, bemused.

“Were you?” the harpy asked.

“What?”

“Made of extraordinary things. Were you?”

Hide didn't know how to answer that question. When Kaneki had said such a thing to him, Hide hadn't taken it that seriously even though Kaneki possibly meant it with all of his heart. Kaneki had always been a romantic.

“I don't know,” Hide answered truthfully. “Maybe? Or not, whichever is fine.”

The harpy hummed, studying him. Undoubtedly finding the whole thing absolutely ridiculous. When it spoke, there was a hint of amusement in its usually deadpan voice. “You don't look that great.”

Hide wanted to argue but he was too exhausted and it wasn't as if he should take the words of a harpy with a genuine interest. Still, Hide sat there on the dirty ground, legs folded close to his chest and his eyes strayed to the being before him. The sight was confusing to him. The harpy was every little bit a definition of a curious soul, with the way it was pointing and asking questions, so truthful and bare.

He looked up and asked the question that had been hanging on the tip of his tongue; “Do you have a name?”

The harpy spared him a fleeting glance. Then it answered. “Eto.”

Despite his situation, despite everything, Hide found himself smiling. “Hide. My name,” he explained. The only piece of himself that he'd willingly give to her. She didn't even bother looking at him this time, hair messy and askew from the wind. Something that they probably shared at the moment.

Eto took the empty space at his side, his journal was protectively tucked closer to her as she continued bombarding him with simple queries. Hide answered them half-heartedly, unsure what would happen to him from here and on.

Still. Hide found it amusing that his journal was a vital factor in his survival. That, and Eto's unfeigned curiosity.

When she left, she took his precious journal with her.

--

His leg didn't hurt as much as before anymore. It helped that Eto had coated it with cold substance, proclaiming that the ointment would close the wound and relieve the pain. It was a reckless move on her part. With the means to walk without losing his equilibrium, Eto had intentionally given Hide a chance to escape her captivity.

A chance that Hide would eagerly take.

Eto hadn't visited him yet that morning but she'd left enough sustenance for him to appease his thirst and hunger for when he required them. Hide hadn't bothered though. Instead, Hide stood up, hands gripping whatever his hands could reach beside him. He hissed at the inevitable soreness.

Hide observed the area, eyes sharp as he dug his surrounding with a keen focus. It truly felt as if he was standing at the edge of the world, barren of a way out and deprived of the loudness of a civilization. But there was always a way, wasn't it?

Hide limped towards the brink of the cliff, inspecting the ocean below. The wind was biting his eyes. If I fall, that's a long way down. He could climb down but it was too slippery, too risky. Besides, where would he go after that?

“I'd need a pair of wings to get out of here,” Hide snidely remarked. He was in a confinement without truly being confined and right now, letting himself fall into the abyss was actually a tempting solution.

It was like seductress caressing his thought, enjoining him to commit just that; better die now than to be eaten by the harpies. Hide had no doubts that Eto would grow tired of him eventually. He didn't believe for a second that his death would be painless.

But.

He remembered Kaneki’s soft kisses, his gentle tapering fingers wrapped around Hide's hands, beckoning and loving and-- Hide backed away from the tip of the precipice. He sighed.

Why was it so hard to die?

--

“Are they your sisters?”

Eto looked up at him at the question. She followed Hide's sight, to where it settled suspiciously on the rest of the roaming harpies not too far from them. They wandered sometimes, flying just a distance away, leering at him, sniffing and screeching, acrimonious, as if they wanted to skin and taste his flesh under their teeth.

Eto was the only thing keeping her sisters from tearing him apart.

“Sisters?” she tasted the word carefully. “Yes. Sisters,” she said ruefully, fondly. Hide didn't know how it was possible. Eto slowly gazed upward, to where her sisters were watching the pair before she breathed out an ear-splitting shrill. The harpies ceased, looking at Eto with strange awareness in their golden eyes before they turned around and allowed the wind to guide them away.

“They won't be bothering us for a while,” Eto stated.

“What do they want?” Hide questioned.

“Flesh,” was all she said.

--

“You smell awful,” Eto said.

“Well, yes, thank you. If you hadn't told me that, I wouldn't have known,” Hide replied with a mocking smile on his lips. “I have been here for-”

“Fortnight.”

“--yes, two weeks. I hardly think I still smell like roses and daisies.”

“Do you always talk like that?”

Hide frowned. “Like what?”

“Like you're never out of words.”

Hide wondered about it, his head falling to his shoulder as his thoughts filled with peculiar wonderment. He was aware of Eto watching him intently with a softness she probably didn't know she exhibited.

Hide ignored the little white bird landing on top of his head, pecking at his scalp, gobbling and twisting his hair until Hide hissed and waved the bird away. “Everything here wants to eat me alive,” Hide mumbled.

Hide heard a foreign sound, too low and tiny but smooth like plucked lute strings. Hide searched for it and it was only when he glanced up that he noted the sound was coming from the harpy. Eto was laughing. Her wings unfolded behind her, a blundering mess as she continued to breathe through her nose.

When she realized what she'd done, Eto's cheeks dusted in pink, embarrassed. Hide wanted to tease her about it but the shame she felt was quick to morph into a wave of unexpected anger. She gazed up and glared at Hide fiercely.

“You did this,” she hissed.

Hide narrowed his eyes. “Did what?”

“This!” she pointed to herself.

Hide was left to solve the puzzles alone. “This? This what--- wait, the laugh? You're angry because I indirectly made you laugh?”

Maybe Hide had pushed her too far. Maybe. Hide didn't even see her leaping and pushing him to the ground, snarling at him as she straddled him. Her claws protruding out, so close to his neck, just an inch away. It occurred to Hide that Eto only needed to extend her nails to tear his throat open.

Hide stayed still, astounded by the sudden change.

“Silence,” she ordered sharply. When Eto slowly crept her fingers around Hide's neck, Hide had to crush the gnawing stubbornness to scream at the harpy to just end him but he held his tongue. Whatever Eto saw on his face caused her to retract her hand, staring at Hide as if he was a messy entanglement of riddles.

She stood up, spread her wings, and took off.

Hide sighed to himself. He could never read Eto.

--

The next day, Eto dropped his journal at his feet again. Rude. Hide momentarily stopped drinking, mouthing soundless syllables before he put the wooden bowl down and moved to grab his journal.

He stared at the harpy. When she spoke, her voice was enveloped with authority. “Put that thing away first.”

“Why?”

Eto glared at him. Hide obeyed.

When he was done, he looked back at her, waiting. It felt like his skin was crawled in winter droplets; the anxiety surged in, unwanted. It was pathetic how he welcomed death but feared it at the same time. He was a cowardly fool.

In seconds, he was whisked into the sky. Hide yelled, clawing at Eto's shoulders when she raised higher and higher and higher into the sky. The clouds felt so close and big - before she quickly dove down. The wind encased them both like a tangled blanket. From the sky, Hide could finally see the entirety of the hidden island; large and gloomy. The mist covering the land like a canopy.

No one would ever find this place.

Hide closed his eyes, arms wrapped tightly around Eto's neck. He couldn't tell how long he stayed like that until he, at last, felt a peck of the warm breeze on his cheeks. He fluttered his eyes open.

“Heads up,” Eto said. Then she dropped him.

“Wai--” the sentence died down as quickly as he was falling down to the abyss. His screams were jumbled and tuneless as his sight stayed on Eto's floating form, getting smaller and smaller as Hide was nearing to the ground--

His back was met with a bed of water, pulling him down for a moment before Hide's body kicked in and he fought against the tides and swam towards the surface. He released a loud breath, greedily gulping the air as much as he could, wiping the wetness from his eyes and trying to stay afloat.

He looked around, at the trees, at the thick forest and waterfall surrounding him. He was in a lake, small but clear, vibrant light from the sun was reflecting on the glassy surface.

No danger nearby. Except for Eto. Hide quickly glanced up at the harpy. She was gazing down at him with a fair amount of amusement. Her lips perked up into a small smirk. Hide was too breathless to address that. He tried to focus from drowning, kicking his feet helplessly in the water.

“I told you. You smell. Clean yourself,” she said and fluttered down to the nearest bank, taking her seat on an abandoned log. She was having too much fun.

“What?” Hide gasped. “You could have just told me before dropping me here!”

“No. Less entertaining for me.”

Oh yes. She was definitely having the time of her life. Hide looked down at himself, noting that he had nothing else to wear but his now completely wet clothes. Hide sighed. He did that a lot lately. Acceptable. Considering his predicament.

He listened to Eto's request, knowing that regardless of what, he really needed the freshness of water against his skin after being deprived for so long without it.

Just for a second there, Hide was grateful to her for doing this for him.

--

“I'm naked and wet.”

“Not my problem.”

“Need to dry my clothes first-- stop staring.”

--

Hide was enjoying the view, sitting on the edge and legs dangling freely. For a second there, he was free from the burden of the world, concealed safely from prying eyes. Hide eased his journal on his laps, his forefinger tracing the blank page. He pretended to write something, imagining a messy plot and unnamed characters before he pretended to hold a quill and stroked his fingers along the page.

He didn't even get the chance to watch the whales. In hindsight, it was probably their fault that he was here.

Hide smiled at the silly thought.

If the news of the attack reached their hometown, Kaneki must have been worried sick right now. Probably blaming himself. Hide was terribly sorry he became the source of Kaneki’s misery.

He missed his lover so much.

His solitude dissipated when he heard the sound of wings coming his way. Hide didn't move from his spot. Didn't spare a glance at Eto. He knew she would drop herself next to him anyway like she always did.

Except, the silence lasted for several moments.

Hide turned around, peering over his shoulder, eyeing the harpy as she stood there, watching him almost too keenly. Hide waited, wondering why she often looked at him like that. He sought for anything that was out of place because it was so unlike her to be in his presence without purposely trying to irritate him.

“What is it?” Hide asked.

Her eyes hardened. A glint of madness in her gaze that she often trampled down to dust whenever Eto was around him. He noticed that. He always noticed the lurking lunacy that Eto harbored like the rest of his sisters.

“It doesn’t concern you, human.”

His good mood waned at her response. Though, such a thing was forgotten when Hide spotted the red droplets lingering on Eto's lips as if it served as a reminder that he was living on borrowed time. The harpy must have noticed his gaze. She used the back of her hand to wipe the blood slowly, savoring the residue in beastly-like grace.

Hide shifted his eyes somewhere else.

“Don't try to attract attention.” The blond heard her say. “Remain here and be quiet.”

Against his better judgment, Hide replied to her without looking back. “That's what I've been doing. And where the hell am I supposed to go? I'm stuck here, remember?” his tone was so acrid and blatantly ill-mannered that Hide was surprised that the only penance he received from Eto was a strong backhand blow.

It was enough to reel him back but before Hide could say anything, Eto gripped his hair harshly and pulled his face closer to hers. Her eyes bled gold, promising pain and prolong torture if he dared to retaliate. He didn't.

She bared her fangs at him - the madness returned - and it was as if she appeared whole when she was looking down at him like a feral animal. “Mind your tongue or I'll pluck it out for you.”

Why don't you then? Why don't you then?

Hide didn't say it.

“Why keep me alive then?” He said instead. Eyes shone as bright as Eto's, anger seeping into his chest. “What are you doing? What do you want? You keep me here and you do nothing. Why not kill me and be done with it?” Hide leaned a little closer, their faces almost touching. “If you're not going to kill me, let me go. I have someone I want to return to.”

She threw him to the ground. Hard. The fact that he was left without a broken nose was a miracle itself. The harpy loomed over him, arms and claws outstretched, her face contorted, twisted. It would be so easy for Eto to kill him there but like always, Eto ceased, seemingly realized what had transpired and took off wordlessly.

He was left alone without food for the night. And a very sore jaw.

--

It wasn't the echo of the waves that woke him up. It was the excruciating pain erupted from his lower hips. Hide hissed before he opened his eyes, rolling to his side and clutching at his hips; feeling the drip drip of blood leaking from his slowly tearing wound.

Hide quickly threw his chin up and watched as a shadow became visible right before him, familiar shape of wings unraveled under the peeking sun.

Hide groaned as he pushed himself from the creature, getting tired and angry simultaneously because no matter what he did and said, in the end, he would find himself here; hurt and broken as he was left in the mercy of his captor.

Only it wasn't Eto.

The blurriness diminished and he was exposed to the sight of another harpy he'd never seen before.

The harpy grinned so delightfully at him. So hungrily. Teasingly, like it was testing how far it could tease a rabbit before swooping it down and tearing it to bits. Its long dark cherry hair curtaining its face.

Hide regained his strength, hastily pushing himself to his feet and shielding his wound with his arm. His glare made the creature grin. It made a short, low sound as it stalked towards him.

“Why the fear, man-flesh? Am I not enchanting enough? To be gobbled by me would be like tasting honey in your death, sweetling.” its vocal was sing-song, seductress.

“Where's Eto?” Hide daringly asked. Did she abandon him? Left him to be devoured by one of her own?

The harpy blinked. “She is hunting. It's of no matter to you, man-flesh. I can accompany you.”

Ah. Darn. One bad luck after another. Hide ducked downward and fisted a stone almost the size of his fist. He threw it at the creature, perfectly hitting it right in the face. It tumbled for a second and Hide captured the opportunity to seek an escape route; feet carrying him as far as he could from the predator.

Of course, a way out was nonexistent. Not here, high above on nowhere. But better to die fighting than to die a helpless fool.

He didn't get far before he was slammed to the earthen floor, cheek scratching against the rocks beneath him. There was a hand gripping his hair and twisting it so carelessly. His head was pushed back before his head was once more forced to ground. The impact hurt. A lot. By no means was his attacker being a tad mindful of his condition.

Hide grunted, body thrashing about. The harpy sat astride on his back, hissing in his ear.

“I would have given you an easy death, man-flesh. I wouldn't have eaten you alive.” it sneered, scratching at Hide's back. He bit back a scream. “But that was very foolish of you.”

Yeah, so he kept telling himself that.

“Why did she keep you alive? She never kept men alive before. We are flocks of the Old. We cater to no men and yet here you are. Peculiar, isn't it?” it added, sounding genuinely confused.

At least they shared that sentiment. Hide felt nimble fingers touching the same scars Eto had left when she first bit his shoulder. “She even marked you. That is so sweet; warding off anyone from touching you.” it chirped cheerily.

Oh, Hide thought.

It bent down. Those long sharp teeth were mere inches from his throat. Hide could feel it breathing against his cheek. Hide took a long inhale, his heart quickened. “For now--”

“Rize.”

The harpy on top of him paused and took a hurried look at the figure landing in front of them. In his current position, Hide couldn't truly see everything. He only caught a glimpse of Eto. There was nothing but raw anger in her eyes and if anger could turn someone to cinders, then the harpy above him would have turned to ashes.

“Rize,” Eto said the name again. “Release him. Now.”

There was stubbornness in the way Rize was holding him.

“I won't ask again, Rize. Release him.”

“Or what?” Rize dared her. “Or what, Eto? You would hurt your own sister over a human?” she spat. “You're being soft. You laugh and you taunt and you enjoy misery when you feast but you do none of that with this man-flesh! Why is this one different? Why is it still breathing?”

Eto didn't falter at that. She strode slowly towards them, her wings spread on her back. Rize swiftly let him go and sprang to its feet, leaping at Eto and hurling itself towards the other harpy. Eto was fortunately prepared for the onslaught; she caught Rize's wrists and propelled the harpy from her person before they flew together to the sky.

Hide winced from the pain, getting on his knees and watching the spectacle overhead. Eto was merciless as she was fast, repelling her sister's incoming claws with terrifying ease. As he watched the whole thing, it suddenly occurred to Hide that all this time, Eto had been lenient to him. Had been considerate.

There was a loud screech and he saw Rize's frame falling and crashing to the solid surface below. The ground trembled. Eto silently settled down close to Rize, wings fluttered, her back to him as she observed Rize's prone body. It quivered as it threw a dark glare at Eto. It was bleeding and wounded but Eto made no motion to tend to Rize.

“Leave.”

That was all Rize took as the last warning. The harpy obeyed Eto's order wordlessly and took to the air, disappearing from the view.

“Wow,” was all Hide said. Eto shifted around to inspect him.

“It's not dire,” she claimed.

“Speak for yourself. I'm a human, remember? Not some beast.” Hide chuckled. Eto kneeled down and turned him around, observing the marks on his back.

“They're not that deep.”

Whatever, he wanted to say. “Thank you,” he breathed softly. At least, Eto deserved that much from him after today.

That night, Eto stayed with him. She sat a distance away but she stayed.

“Thank you,” Hide mumbled again just as he was about to sleep. A soft sigh was his answer.

--

“You know what? Aside from murderous harpies, this island is actually quite beautiful.”

Eto glared at him. Hide grinned and raised his arms in mock surrender. He dropped himself next to her, feeling at peace for once.

The harpy broke the peace, though, when she asked him a question in a tender curiosity: “Beautiful. What does it mean?”

Hide gaped at her. “What?”

“What what?” she threw back.

“Haven't you heard of it before?”

“If I did, Hide, I wouldn't be asking you.”

“Yeah, but-- oh, hey! You said my name! Finally. It only took you a month to say it.” Hide should know. He'd been counting.

Eto didn't look the slightest bit amused. So Hide tried not to push things too far.

Still.

Hide came to the alarming conclusion that Eto had never heard of such a simple but remarkable word before. Beautiful, Hide thought again as if he tried to adjust the weight of the word on his tongue. Hide looked up at Eto and smiled. The harpy stared at him, waiting.

“Beautiful,” Hide gingerly repeated to himself. He wanted to explain the meaning to Eto. Maybe as a gesture for saving his life before. Hide grabbed his small, half-tattered journal and comically showed it to the harpy, willing her to understand the gesture.

Eto merely cocked her head. “What is it now? Another attempt to make a fool of yourself?”

Hide rolled his eyes. “No, silly.”

Eto scrunched her face at the nickname. Hide grinned. He unclasped the seal on his journal and showed the contents she'd already seen a dozen times; pictures and drawings and small notes glued together, different words scribbled in different numbers and shapes. Yet all were equally important. A work in which Hide had put all of his efforts into it. A lifeline he adored.

Again, Eto stared at Hide as if he was displaying nothing but an aged and forgotten scroll. Hide huffed.

“Urgh, you're hopeless.” Hide threw the statement easily at the beast. Eto growled, bared her fangs at him in distaste. Hide winced. Sometimes he forgot that Eto was a creature whose wings were heavy and enormous, whose claws could shred and split skin and bones.

“All right, okay. Fine.” Hide made another attempt again. “Look.” Hide pointed to his journal. “My research was wrapped together and immortalized into this book. Everything I used to love, that I still love, and will soon come to love; I record them here. Many tales from all over the world; they're here and they're precious and memorable.”

Hide scratched his cheek, the smile on his face flamed like the sun. “To me, it's beautiful.”

Eto frowned. Hide was still comfortably sitting beside her and she looked at him the same way she always did; like she'd never seen something so ridiculously full of heart. Possibly a term she wasn’t familiar with.

“Beautiful?” Eto asked.

“Yeah,” Hide replied earnestly.

Eto scoffed. “That doesn't make sense. Words aren't beautiful.”

Hide blinked. “Not the words.” Hide put his journal on her laps. Eto sneered at his bold gesture.

“The life in this book: that's what beautiful to me.” Hide shrugged. “You know how it is. What you prefer to eat and what I prefer to eat; we like different things but we still savor the richness all the same. Just like everything in my journal, it's beautiful and I love it.”

Eto threw a look of petty annoyance at him. Hide feigned a cough.

“Too much?”

“Too absurd. That's why men are only good for their flesh and bone marrow.”

Hide only hummed, already used to Eto’s sudden grotesque depiction of men's worth. “Rude.”

The silence came and it stretched on. They sat together near the edge. Below them, the waves hummed and splattered against the columns of rock. The sky was a fabric of inky dusk, dotted with distant stars that would glitter when night settled in. Hide inhaled the scent of the sea.

For a moment, his heart longed for Kaneki. Hide missed him so much. He'd never get tired saying that.

“I have someone waiting for me back home,” he admitted.

Eto's words were slow when she questioned him. “A… a mate?”

“Yeah. I guess you could say that. A lover.”

“A lover,” Eto murmured. She sounded strangely distant. As if the revelation upset her and Hide couldn't exactly pinpoint the reason why. She had no cause to feel despair.

“Do you miss her?”

“Him,” Hide corrected. “And I do. I'm alive and I love him so of course, I miss him when we're not together.”

Eto didn't offer a reply to that.

The sun was almost gone.

“Oh.” Hide breathed immediately. “There!”

Eto looked at him, confused.

“That's it! Eto, the sun!”

“What about it?” she sounded annoyed.

“It's beautiful. That's what! Beautiful.” Hide laughed to himself. He shifted to face the harpy, eagerly directing his finger at the breathtaking view. “That's a good example of beautiful, too. The sun setting down!”

“I watch the sun fade every day. It's nothing special.” Eto spoke as if she was talking to a child.

“You really have no taste, huh?”

Eto ignored him, which was new. She usually would throw a tantrum.

“It's nice to look at though. Where I live, you don't get to see that easily,” Hide muttered. He inhaled some more and repeated the words reverently, “It's beautiful.”

Eto observed him. Hide grinned cheerily. He wanted her to know the meaning so desperately.

“This is beautiful.” Hide's hand touched the earth, his fingers tenderly grazing the springy turf. “This.” Hide pointed to the small bed of flowers oscillating a distance away from them. Eto followed his gaze.

“This.” Hide threw a brief glance at the sun settling peacefully behind the skyline. “This.” Hide ran his fingers across his journal. “And this,” Hide whispered as he put his hand on Eto's wings, resting it there for a moment, brushing the feathers under his skin and feeling Eto's gaze on his face.

Hide removed his hand unceremoniously when he realized he might have gone too far. A sudden cherry red pooled on his cheeks, swirling around to his neck and his ears, bashful of his own actions.

“Sorry,” Hide offered. “I, you know, sometimes, I can be weird like that.”

“It is fine,” Eto assured. An odd tone in her voice.

When Hide stole a glance at Eto, he was surprised to find a small satisfied smile on her lips. She was no longer staring at him but it felt as if Eto only saw him and nothing else in this world.

Hide was bemused by the joy he felt; it wasn’t as clear or as sweet as the one he felt for Kaneki nor when Hide was writing his book. It was just joy, perhaps like stories of merriment he had yet to unfold.

Hide was strangely okay with it.

“What am I doing here, Eto?”

“Be specific.”

“Why I'm still alive?”

“You wanted to die so badly?” Eto gave him a tepid grin. Hide didn't react to the bait. He knew how Eto preferred to ignore the topic. He didn't understand why.

“You know what I mean.”

Eto huffed. “Maybe because of your silly book.”

“That's it?”

“Perhaps. Not sure,” Eto said without a beat. “Maybe because you smell.”

Hide looked affronted. “You let me clean myself at the lake every day. I don't smell that bad.”

“No. You smell like all the seasons in the world.”

“What?” Hide asked ridiculously. “What does that mean? Spices? I smell like spices?”

Eto laughed. Hide jumped a bit at that. “Seasons, you fool. Winter, summer, and more. Not seasonings.”

“Oh yeah.” Hide grumbled. “I knew that. But really, Eto? Seasons? No one smells like seasons. You’re weird”

“Takes one to know one.”

“Hey!”

“Still. It's not so bad. Your scent is wonderful and you don't even realize that, which is funny since your scent is soothing. It's good, I suppose.”

Hide was beaming now, amused, wanting to tease the harpy. “So what you're saying is that it's good to be around me?”

Eto radiated nothing but wounded ego, as if it was hard for her to admit that. She did it, in the end, albeit adamantly. “...I guess.”

“Hah!”

“Quiet.”

Later on, when Hide sensed the exhaustion seeping into his bones. Hide leaned his head on Eto's shoulder. He heard her wings loosen, one of it covering his back, hovering above his head, and shielding him like a precious bundle of roses wrapped in newspapers.

Hide sighed and closed his eyes.

It was the first time he ever felt safe around the harpy.

--

Eto didn't come to visit him that morning. She sent someone else in her place. The harpy was of a small thing, uncharacteristically amiable. Hide didn't let that fool him.

“We usually fly to the west to hunt. League and league away, there are ships that always sail to the southern coast. Though we don't hunt vigorously to avoid… complications.”

“Ah,” Hide mumbled.

The harpy beamed at him. “Made me wonder why Eto bothers flying to the west all by herself these days. It's quite dangerous but she's insistent.”

“Really?”

“Yes. But I've stopped questioning Eto ages ago. She does whatever she pleases.”

“Oh.”

“Hmm, Eto claimed you're shamelessly talkative,” the harpy quickly remarked. “But you’re proven to be otherwise with me.”

Hide flushed at that. “Sorry,” he said, not sounding a little bit apologetic. “I don't really know how to converse properly with a harpy.”

“You may start by calling me Yoriko.”

“Ah, all right.” Hide cleared his throat. “Nice to meet you then.”

Yoriko laughed softly, kindly. “Please don't be too courteous. The only one here that's not keen on killing you is Eto.”

Hide huffed. Of course. At least Yoriko was being polite and truthful about it.

“Strange,” Yoriko continued. “Eto is a lot calmer around you. Usually, she's more-- well, more like herself. Do you know Eto plays with her food? She gloats a lot; the ferocious one amongst us. Skin and bones stuck between her teeth when she feasts upon her still-breathing preys.”

Yes. Rize did tell him about it.

Silence fell upon them and it persisted to eventide - until Eto's arrival remedied the situation. The smaller harpy smiled at Hide and spared a curt nod to Eto before she flew away. Hide could finally breathe properly.

Eto sat at his side, voiceless. Eto never shared anything. Not that she was obligated to but Hide had been curious about her, knowing bits and pieces of Eto only from her sisters - but only ever the monstrous side of her. Other than her fondness for his journal and the almost-childlike curiosity, Hide was left in the dark regarding her.

Heart in his throat, Hide bravely - unwisely - bent down and put his head on her laps, lying easily on the rough ground. Eto pulled a face a that.

“What are you doing?”

“Not sure. Don't know.”

“You aren't sure?”

Hide shrugged, enclosing his arms around his body. His eyes shone when he looked up at Eto; her face was almost too close to his and she watched him with the ever so endearing and familiar curiosity that Hide had come to secretly adore.

“Tell me about your mate.”

Hide was surprised by her request. “My--”

“Your lover.”

“...he's-- there's not much to say. I love him. I don't think he knows how much I do and I don't know how to make it even more obvious. I wish him everything good, all the time. A good lady florist waving at him as he passes her. A good sleep without nightmares. A warm morning coffee that can make him smile. I wish him good things that'll make him smile like the idiot he is every time he remembers them. The kind of happiness that fills his chest.”

Hide stopped, then he smiled and he resumed - voice small and lost. “He gets worried easily. Mostly because of me.”

“Do you wish to see him again?”

When Hide answered, he didn't bother to conceal the longing. “You know I do.”

He thought of Kaneki every day. Not knowing whether Kaneki shared the same turmoil. But Hide did. He thought of him every passing moment, missing Kaneki so desperately.

Kaneki had wanted to marry him. Hide would have said yes on the spot, again and again until Kaneki enveloped him tightly in his arms. A touch that Hide would return just as adoringly.

“Okay,” Eto whispered and they left it at that. She looked a bit sad. Well, as sad as Eto could look.

Regardless. Hide was left wondering about it for a long time.

--

Something stirred in the air. Hide couldn't tell what it was but he could feel it so vividly, almost like bitterness on his tongue.

There was no sign of Eto for the rest of the day and as day turned to night - the restlessness grew like a poison in his chest.

For the very first time, despite its beauty, the island felt bleak.

--

Not all good things lasted.

Not a new revelation to him but Hide felt it too deeply when he was jostled gently from his slumber, only to meet Eto's face and notice the red angry marks on her face, her neck, her shoulders - almost every spot on her body covered in gashes.

Behind her, Hide's eyes fell on Yoriko and another nameless harpy he'd never seen before. Their condition mirrored that of Eto's.

“What's happening?”

Eto didn't answer him.

Hide hurriedly pushed himself up, throwing a nervous glance at the harpies. He felt a firm tug on his shoulder and he let Eto pull him up to his feet, let her rest her hand on his wrist and let her maneuver him towards the edge of the precipice. She didn't act like herself; concern coalesced with desperation. So unlike her.

“Eto, you need to make haste.” The nameless harpy spoke.

“I know.”

“Eto--”

“I know.”

Yoriko was quiet. Her eyes strayed from Eto to Hide. When she noticed that Hide was observing her intently, she sweetly gave him a smile. It didn't fit the image she was presenting to Hide; covered in blood and wounds that would take so long to heal. Then Yoriko acknowledged the harpy standing next to her.

“Hinami and I will try to dissuade Rize and the others. They'll calm down eventually, Eto.”

“They will,” she said, leaving no room for other alternatives. Her golden eyes sparked with madness and her grin was as dangerous as her elongated fangs. Though it disappeared just as quickly when she looked at Hide.

“What's going on, Eto?” He asked.

Eto huffed tiredly. “You've overstayed your welcome.”

Hide's hands trembled. His focus wavered and he attempted to let the fear sink down. He refused to look like a helpless deer in front of these creatures. He repeated her words - overstayed his welcome.

Does that mean Eto's killing him?

“You're leaving,” Eto said. “Now.” she turned back to glance at her sisters. Yoriko beamed at her whilst Hinami appeared lost and embarrassed under Hide's stare.

“Leaving?” Hide blinked. Unsure if he heard it right. “Leaving? Really? Why--”

“Goodbye, Hide,” Yoriko voiced gently. She dragged Hinami with her and Yoriko didn't look back when they outspread their wings and took flight, possibly heading to where Rize and their other sisters were.

Eto was silent. Her grip on Hide's wrists remained. Not harsh but not gentle either. Just desperate enough for Hide to know that Eto was as lost as him. He wanted to leave, more than anything. Go back home. To Kaneki. To somewhere safe.

“I thought your hair was ridiculous.”

Hide batted his eyes at the other's abrupt confession, baffled. “What?”

“Your hair,” Eto said lowly without turning to him. “The first time I saw you on that ship, your hair was as ridiculous as your attempt at saving your life. But your scent was oddly calming, like all the good things in the world. And then you dropped your messy journal. I caught the sight of its contents and it occurred to me that ‘he smells different because he carries the world in his tiny pocket’.”

Hide's hand unconsciously went to the journal he'd tucked safely in his back pocket.

Finally, Eto turned to him. She smiled and Hide realized that her smile had never reached her eyes.

“Will you write a story about what's transpired here?”

“Probably not.”

“Shame,” Eto offhandedly replied. “Would have made a great story.”

“No. Not sharing it with the entire world. It's just between the two of us.”

Eto huffed out a tiny laugh. “May I kiss you?” the question echoed like a foreign language when she said it.

Hide's smile vanished. Eto asked such a thing as if she'd never requested for anyone's consent before. It hurt her just to ask for his permission. He didn't know how to answer that so he let his silence became his answer.

“No? Is that a no?” she asked once more.

Hide swallowed. “Yes,” he finally said. “Yes,” he repeated. “You may.”

Eto moved her hands to his elbows and raised her heels to reach him. Hide closed his eyes and he didn't move when he felt her lips against his. Her kiss felt so very much like her; brutal artistry and fierce desire - felt as if he was being invaded but Hide didn't flinch. He gave her what he must and offered nothing else.

When she inched away, Hide's eyes fluttered open.

Right there, he stood tall but it felt as if he was standing at the world’s end. Eto smiled with serene sincerity and she looked as beautiful as a brave lady from an old fairy tale. Hide would forever remember her beauty.

Maybe he was charmed. He could at least admit that. Eto was as breathtaking as she was dangerous, as she was wild and untamed and primal but she was beautiful. No one could say otherwise.

Then again, no one was around to witness how much he had come to adore her; something he wouldn't ever admit to her. Hide had cherished her tenderly and genuinely. But above all else, Hide had cherished Eto lovingly. Just not the way she wanted it to be.

Hide drew in an unsteady breath and the sound was so different to his ears that he wondered ever so briefly if that was how heartbreak sounded like.

“Where will you take me?”

“Somewhere to the west. It won't be that far. There are a lot of sailing ships there, taking the same passage to avoid terrible squall. I’ve checked.”

Hide blinked. “You're just going to drop me on one of the ships?”

“No, silly. I can't be seen.” Eto smirked. She tugged him along with her towards the brink of the cliff. “I'll drop you into the ocean and you'll be close enough for someone to hear you when you scream.”

Hide blinked once more. And laughed. That sounded so much like Eto.

“Let's take you home,” Eto whispered.

Hide wrapped his arms around her neck, chin resting on her shoulder and face tucking gently in the crook of her neck. He stomped his wish to stay with her a little bit longer as he trailed a soft peck on her cold skin. Hide bore no love for her but she had become one of the many wondrous things he'd miss for as long as he lived.

“I’ll miss you,” he told her reverently. Eto put her hands on his back.

Her wings spread wide. Hide breathed and they soared high above the sky.

--

“Hide!” Kaneki called out once he heard the sound of broken glass. Hide could hear him coming even as he carefully picked up the broken glassware. “Hide!” Kaneki said again, scrambled to the floor and hastily took Hide's hands in his; having the same concern gaze on his face that he often wore for the past several months after Hide’s return.

His lover studied his fingers, searching for any sign of wounds. When he found none, Kaneki exhaled lightly. “Don't worry me like that. I thought--”

“Kaneki,” Hide gripped Kaneki’s hands. He beamed at him. “Kaneki, I'm fine. Promise. I swear I'm fine.”

He was sorry that Kaneki’s world was as cracked as his when Hide was taken. There was nothing he could do to mend it. They could only brave the world together now.

“Okay.” Kaneki sighed. “Okay. I’ll clean it later. Just leave it there for now.” He pulled Hide up and kissed his forehead gently and Hide felt as if his mouth was full of stars. He missed Kaneki’s kisses.

It was snowing outside. The world was shrouded in a white blanket. Hide let Kaneki cocoon him in his arms as they cuddled close on the sofa. The small fireplace crackled in front of them like a timid whisper, cinders glowed in the air and their home felt like a cabin hidden in the forest of misty and gentlest rainfall.

Hide's eyes fell on the snow-covered window. He thought of Eto, of their fleeting shared kiss. That was one thing he'd remembered so vividly and Hide was surprised to know that he felt a tinge of heartache at that.

“What's wrong?” Kaneki brushed his hair, embracing Hide gently.

“Nothing. Just--” the memory of Eto's wings spread over him as they sat together, overlooking the slowly setting sun, tenderly came to his mind. He was fond of that memory. Quietly, Hide realized that he would never experience that moment ever again. Their silent goodbye was the kind of farewell that would last till the end of time, never to cross path ever again.

“Just thinking.”